August 22, 2009

Washington D.C.; 8:56 pm

"Have you lost your mind!?" Gwen screamed. "This isn't a game Doofus."

"I know it's not, " Ben replied. "Every second I waste is time taken away from innocent people. I can't sit by and let people die, but without the watch, I'm useless."

"Ben…" The sound of footsteps storming up the stairs snapped them back to reality. Ben fired at the first soldier that appeared, but the gun's kick was stronger than he expected. He dropped the weapon missing his target.

Gwen put up a barrier protecting them momentarily. "You're not useless." She spoke with certainty. "You've saved so many people without relying on that watch; I'm living proof of that. You're so much more than that hunk of junk!"

The barrier was beginning to crack. Ben knew he had to do something, or they were both dead. Searching around the room, he found a vent big enough to fit them and started kicking at the metal cover.

It took a few tries, but the screws eventually gave out. "In here!" He shouted before crawling into the narrow air duct. Gwen dropped the barrier and dashed the vent. Before she could reach it, however, one of the soldiers threw something into the room. Instinctively Gwen put up another barrier protecting her from the flames, but the explosion force sent her flying out the window.

"Gwen!" Ben screamed. He wanted to crawl out and search for her, but the stomping of footsteps made him dive deeper into the duct. Unsure of where he was going, he turned a corner and fell down the chute.

Stretching his body, he managed to rub against the metal walls slowing his descent. He could feel friction burn run all along his shoulder, but his mind was focused on his cousin. He knew she was going to be okay, but his entire being was screaming at him to find her before it's too late.

Kicking out a grate, he dropped down in what he assumed to be the basement. Ben could tell that the soldiers had been down here at one point by the destruction left behind. He thanked whatever greater power there was that there weren't any bodies lying around. Sneaking down a corridor, he heard footsteps in the distance. Peering around the corner, he saw what looked to be a little girl run past, followed shortly by a soldier.

The little girl was hiding behind a stack of crates. She had been playing a deadly game of cat and mouse since the soldiers and broken in. Many of the staff had died so she could escape, but she was tired and was running out of places to hide. She held her breath when the shadow of the man loomed over her. Her lungs were on fire, desperate for air, but she knew that the slightest slip-up would lead to her untimely death.

The seconds felt like hours. She was light-headed, her already tear-stained face changing color, the hands covering her face were shaking terribly. It was all over in an instant. Just as she gasped for air, a loud clang was heard before the figure fell to the ground.

Ben had struck the soldier in the back of the head with the sharp edge of a shovel. The Omnitrix was still in the red, leaving him no choice but to take matters into his own eleven-year-old hands. He was tempted to strike the soldier again to finish the job, but he couldn't bring himself to do it in front of the girl looking at him in between fits of coughing. Throwing the shovel aside, he grabbed the girl's hand and led her away until he felt like they were a safe distance out.

"You alright?" Ben asked. "Do you know where your parents are?"

She didn't hide the confusion on her face, "Do you know who I am?"

"Am I suppose to?" Ben asked, now confused. The girl was a couple of years younger than him. Something about her seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember where he's seen her. Deciding her identity wasn't necessary, he moved towards the stairs leading to the ground floor. "Stay down here; I'll send someone to come get you."

"No!" She creamed. "They took my daddy. I need to find him."

"What!? No, it's too dangerous."

"Then why are you going? You're not that older than me."

"Because I'm a hero!" Ben said matter of factly.

"Hero…" The girl felt her blood boil. "Is this some kind of game to you? Do you realize how many people I've watched die trying to be heroes!?" She felt her whole body shaking. "If the secret service couldn't stop them, then what is a stupid kid like you gonna do?"

Ben stared down at the girl, the determination never leaving her eyes even as the tears rolled down her face.

"Don't believe me? Tell me where your dad is, and I'll show you just what a stupid kid can do."

"His office," she sniffed, "in the West Wing."

The two climbed the stairs watching for any patrols making their way around. An explosion was heard from above, causing the soldiers to make their way upstairs. Once the floor was empty, Ben ran down a large hall. "West is this way, Doofus." Ben felt irritated being called that by someone other than Gwen, but he didn't have time to sulk. The two made their way through the West Wing, being cautious of every step they made.

Just when they thought that they were in trouble, something outside would draw the soldiers' attention, allowing them to pass by. But, unfortunately, their luck had run out once they reached the office doors.

Two soldiers stood guarding the closed doors. Ben looked towards the watch to find it still charging. He cursed Azmuth under his breath for creating such an inconsistent mechanic.

"Hey kid," the girl called out, "if you want to prove you're a hero, then save my dad." Before Ben could say anything, the girl ran down the corridor towards the two guards. "Hey freaks, come and get me!" The girls ran around the corner, causing one of the guards to follow.

Ben wanted to go after her, but she put her trust in him to save her dad. Moving towards the other guard, he caused a similar commotion drawing its attention away from the door.

The guard followed Ben into a room with a large table known as the cabinet room. Slowly moving around the room, it searched for the boy under the table, behind chairs and curtains. Then, having lost the boy, it turned to leave.

Ben jumped out from a fireplace in the back of the room, rushing towards the guard with a fire poker. Striking at the back of the knees, the guard stumbled to the floor, allowing Ben a chance to knock the weapon out of its hands. But, just as the guard lunged at him, Ben struck its helmet. He continued to attack until all that was left was a limp body.

His hands ached from swinging the iron rod. He tried to catch his breath, but all it resulted in was hyperventilation. He tried to mimic the breathing techniques Gwen would do, but it didn't stop the adrenaline coursing through him. Finally, picking up the alien weapon, Ben made his way back to the office.

Putting his ear towards the door could hear a muffled voice speaking.

"...I know you're hiding… plumbers… eradicate mankind!"

Ben turned the knob and peeked into the room. Two soldiers were standing in the center of the room, with another walking around. A human man was sitting in the back, but he couldn't get a good look at him.

Breathe in—breath out.

Ben shoved the door open and fired at the two soldiers in the center. Then, lining up his sights, he aimed towards the third alien who was now using the man as a shield. Having a clear look at the man, he recognized him.

"Obama?" Now realizing he was in the Oval Office, Ben felt stupid for not realizing it sooner.

"A child," the alien spoke, "I don't recall Earth's warriors being so young." His helmet seemed to collapse in on itself, revealing his face. He had four small eyes and sharp pincers extending from his cheeks. "The plumbers are just as devious as I remembered."

"Why are you attacking us?"

"We've tracked down a powerful piece of technology to this planet. Something much too powerful for an insignificant species such as yourselves. We have hundreds of fleets in orbit ready to invade, yet you continue to hide it." Ben's wrist felt much heavier, but he kept his sights locked onto the alien.

"I told you, I have no idea what you're talking about." The president tried to remain calm, but Ben could tell he was terrified.

"I can get it to you," Ben spoke, "but you have to let the president go."

"What!?" The president shouted, "young man, you need to get out of here."

"How can I be sure you can bring it to me?" The alien tightened his grip on the man.

"Because I already have it."

The alien looked him over, then loosened his grip. "Lower your weapon," he demanded, "let I'll release your leader." Ben did as he was told but held the weapon at his hip. "I see." The sound of bones breaking filled the room. Ben raised to fire, but the alien threw the president towards him, blocking his line of sight.

The president's arm was bent in the opposite direction at the elbow. Ben helped him onto one of the couches before returning his sights to the alien leader. He was now standing in front of him, his helmet back on. His arm was transformed into a giant barrel, and a shot was charged and ready to fire.

"Nice suit," Ben muttered out, "can it fly?"

"Enough talk, child. Where is the device!?" At that moment, Ben saw the familiar green light return to the Omnitrix. A smile broke out onto his face.

"Right here." Ben slammed down onto the dial and blinding the alien with a green flash, not even looking at what he selected. When the light faded, a Galvanic Mechamorph was standing before him. Before he had time to react, the black oose-like mechanism attached itself to his suit.

The suit was made of millions of nanobots circulating throughout his body. Ben could feel himself taking over the alien's entire being. Within the suit's memory, he could find that the alien was named Traxigor and that he had been exiled from his home planet. Now he travels the universe in search of valuables to sell to the highest bidder. There were no fleets of ships ready to invade, and the dozens of soldiers that assaulted the white house were androids. This man was a fraud, and so many lives were lost due to his greed.

"So this is it?" Traxigor's voice rang out within his (Traxagor's) head. "You've stopped me, but there will be others. Vilgax wasn't the only one searching for the Omnitrix."

"Shut up." Ben deactivated the androids roaming the grounds.

"Countless ships are scouring the universe in search of that weapon."

"Shut up." The vehicles outside were shut down.

"And when they find it, they'll come after you and everyone you love."

"SHUT UP!" Ben ripped at the helmet tearing the nanobots out from Traxigor's flesh. Purple blood oozed out from the back of his head. The nanobots that had been torn out started to pop and crackle as they died off. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Ben kept repeating himself as he tore chunks of nanobots out, feeling the alien's life fading from every pull.

"Ben, stop!" He felt a tug at his (Traxagor's) arm.

It was Gwen. She was covered in cuts and bruises, her clothes ripped and burnt, her hair a disaster. But she was there, alive.

"Stop, this isn't you." She pleaded. "You're the doofus who makes a mess everywhere they go. The show-off who has to steal the spotlight everywhere they go. My gross, insensitive, basket case of a cousin." He could see the tears forming behind the cat mask. "But you're also sweetest boy I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. You've saved so many lives and stolen my heart. You're a hero, Ben. So be the stubborn pain in the butt that you are and prove that mountain demon wrong."

Gwen was full-on crying now. The ugly cry that he hated to see because it was usually his fault. He felt all the pent-up rage within him fizzle out; all that remained was guilt and sadness. He set the remaining nanobots to stop the bleeding and begin repairing any severe damages done. Traxigor was going to live, but his days searching for valuables were over.

A man in a familiar grey jumpsuit burst through the door. Ben detached himself from the alien in hopes of preventing any more violence. The plumber reached for his comms and spoke, "I found the president, and the assailant is down. No other life forms spotted." The plumber gave them a knowing nod which they returned.

The little girl, which Ben now knew as the president's daughter, ran to her father's side. The two held each other as they cried, thankful for the other to still be alive. The president gave Ben an appreciative nod before returning to his daughter.

The two heroes escaped back to the hotel. Ben took control of a motorcycle which Gwen felt a mix of fear and excitement riding. A couple of police cruisers tried to follow, but they lost them when they swerved between alleyways. Gwen threw her dress over her lucky girl out, and Ben gave her his flannel to cover the marks on her arms. By the time they reached the penthouse suite, it was near midnight.

Gwen rushed to the bedroom to change, but Ben barged in with a first aid kit before she could lock the door. The two sat in silence as Ben cleaned her wounds. Not single word was uttered for the remainder of the night, even after they cried themselves to sleep in each other's arms.